[Touch Diamond2, Pure General] akash_84:
OK I applied mine today - sorry for the delay but I was just waiting for a time I could be patient !

I ordered it from HTCDirect as they are the only ones that had in stock

Recieved it promptly the next day so Kudos to them on that...also the guy I kept in touch with over email (Carlos if I remember correctly) was great and prompt in my queries.

My main query was - does it have the SAME fitment as the original bundled one.

As you know, the bundled one covers the entire screen including the slider for zoom and camera

The answer was Yes, it was exactly the same fitment.

So when I opened the pack, I was a bit annoyed as it was clearly NOT the same fitment! It's close however, but the top of the camera where on the HTC is all the way round with a small hole for the camera, the Brando one is in a U shape leaving the top bit of the camera open.

OK onto application

Just like all Brando protectors, it is protected by two covers on either end with clear instructions - pull one side BEFORE application and the other AFTER application

Once the dust was off the screen and the original protector...

I did just this - and after several attempts of lining it up - and I note, it is very EXACT in lining up. Slightly out and you will have more black on one side from the screen than the other.

Peeled it off, applied it and smoothed it out - the latter bit was hardly needed as the bubbles just vanished which was great.

At this state, the protector looked smoked a little and not as clear as the original one.

Once I was happy, I peeled the top part - noticed one bubble near the end where the label to peel was, smoothed it out and the protector was as clear as the original one.

First impressions:

It does feel MUCH more durable

It has a very slight and I mean SLIGHT smoked affect in that it is not 100% transparent as the original one but this shows how good it is potentially in strength.

Usage is fine, I can glide over it with my finger and stylus without any issues. The original was a finger print magnet but this seems to not stain with it which is great.

Now the downside....

I think HTCDirect sent me a slightly duff one. It has clearly got markings on the top (once the top layer was off) which look like impact marks.

It is very tiny - almost like what happens to a screen without a protector after 12months

I'm not too fussed but feel a bit cheated. Its no use removing it now as I would have no protector on it during the replacement stages - not to metion I would have to pay to ship back etc.

For now, I am ok with it but if it bugs me, I will throw it away and put the original one on (I ordered 2 extras from Clove who as usual, got it to me instantly, good communications and speed in delivery).

The clove one has no marks at all so thats an option.

Hope this answers some of your questions but to summarise your question

Is it stronger?

Yes it is

Is it worth it?

If you can get one mark free - yes it is

Benefits?

It's re-usable, stronger, washable, and I notice it does not let as much light reflect of it - something I had huge problems with in the sunlight with the original one where I could not see the screen - I am not exaggerating!

Downsides?

Where I got mine from, it has marks on it - something that might just force me to remove it and go back to the original one

Also the camera does not go in a O shape but rather a U shape